Splint



Feb. 14, 1939.v

H. MESSEN ET AL SPLINT Filed June 2, 1937 Patented Feb. 14, 1939 UNTE ,laan

SPLINT Application June 2, 1937, Serial No. 145,922 In Germany July 11, 1936 2' Claims.

The invention relates to an appliance for splinting and stretching arms and legs, said appliance in consequence oi its convenientv configuration being distinguished by a particularly simple manipulation and manifold possibilities of application.

The known appliances for splinting and stretching injured members ofthe body are generally so constructed that a U-shaped frame serving for splinting can be pulled out telescopically for stretching the injured limb. For securing the injured limb, strap connections are provided.

The manipulation of these known appliances is very troublesome and tedious. When adjusting the frame, it is always necessary to loosen and subsequently re-tighten fixing devices, such as clamps and screws. For the exact adjustment of the splint, other additional elements, for example a screw pressure spindle, are provided. The xing of the injured limb by means of strap connections is also Very inconvenient, since such connections are relatively loose and flexible. If such splints are used, transporting of the injured person is not advisable.

The disadvantages of these known appliances are obviated in the splint according to the pressent invention. The appliance comprises splints which are connected together after the manner of a frame, are telescopically extensible and if desired are provided with a rest, and which carry at the end supported on the body a tiltable ring adapted to be placed around the injured limb. According to the invention, a further ring for encircling the limb concerned is provided at the other end of the frame. Furthermore, ratchet teeth are provided in the manner known per se in adjustable supports, the said teeth when the splints are being pulled apart acting as an automatic locking device to prevent any unwanted return movement. The extremely simple manipulation of the splint appliance is only rendered possible by the provision of the two rings and the known ratchet teeth. The upper supporting ring is slipped over the injured limb and supports the splint on the body. In this connection, it is of particular importance that the ring is tiltable, so that it can adapt itself to the existing conditions and if necessary also assume an oblique position. The other end of the injured limb is encircled and held by the ring on the lower end of the frame, whereupon the frame can be extended by means of a single handle. The splint appliance is held irreversibly in the adjusted length by the ratchet teeth.

(Cl. 12S-84) Any displacements of the splint relatively to the injured part of the body are impossible, since the splint is held in a satisfactory manner by the two rings.

For convenience in introducing the limb, the l5` two rings are sub-divided into half-rings adapted to engage one another. These half rings also may be connected together by ratchet teeth.

A construction of the subject-matter of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawl0 ing, by way of example, wherein:

Figure l shows a splint in perspective.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the upper pivotal supporting ring on a larger scale. Y,

Figure 3 shows the` ratchet teeth of the halfltSl rings adapted to Vengage one another, in a section on the line A-B.,

Figure 4 is a cross-section through the connection on a larger scale along the line C-D.

Figure 5.15 a leather sleeve adapted to be se- 20 cured to eyes on theA lower ring or telescopic handle.

The splint comprises the two tubular parts I and 2, the upper ends of which are adapted to be supported on the body and carry the tilting supporting ring consisting of the inter-engaging half-rings 3 and 4. Telescopically slidable in the lower ends of the tubes I and 2 is the handle ll between the longitudinal tubes of which the holding ring consisting of two half-rings 5 and 6 is pivotally mounted.

Mounted on the lower end of the stationary part of the frame is a rest consisting of a tube 'l bent into a U-shape and adapted to be tilted in the direction of the telescopic handle 4'.

The half-ring 3 of the upper supporting ring is provided on both ends with the sleeves 8 in which the half ring 4 is telescopically slidable. The half-ring I is provided at one end with notches 9, in which a catch I3 is adapted to engage, said catch being provided in a recess II of the sleeve 8. The catch II] is held in the locking position by a leafk spring I2, while a knob i3 connected to the catch by the arms I4 is provided for releasing the locking device. On the sleeves 8 of the upper supporting ring are two extensions I5 which are mounted pivotally in corresponding recesses in the upper ends of the frame parts I and 2.

The two half rings 5 and 6 of the lower holding ring are likewise secured by ratchet teeth provided in one of the sleeves IG. Said sleeves I6 have lateral hollow pivots I1 in which are inserted pins I8 provided on the longitudinal tubes of the handle 4.

'Ihe lower ends of the splints I and 2 each have a sleeve I9, both of which are provided with catches for securing the handle 4. Both legs of the handle 4 are provided at their ends with ratchet teeth, which are engaged by the catches of sleeves I9 in a similar manner as the ratchet teeth 9 of half-ring 4 cooperate with the catch I0 on sleeve 8. Two downwardly directed extension pieces 20 on the lower ends of the splints I and 2, engage corresponding recesses in the pivoted rest I which can only be moved towards the handle Il'.L By means of a rotatable sleeve 2I, the rest may be fixed in its vertical position.

When the catches Ill are withdrawn from the teeth 9, the half-rings 4 and 6 can be entirely separated from the half-rings 3 and 5. Safety chains 22 are provided to avoid loss of the detachable rings 4 and 6. The splint according to the present invention may be left in place on the broken limb until the break heals, but it can also be used as a provisory device to prevent displacement of the limb during transport of the injured person, for instance from the spot where the injury occurred to the dressing station. In the latter case, after application of a permanent splint, the adjustable splint may ibe removed and can then be used again for another case.

As additional element, a leather sleeve 24 may be disposed on the eyes 23 of the tubular handle 4 or the lower holding ring 5.

This sleeve may be inserted in the lower holding ring 5, thereby reducing the internal periphery of the lower holding ring and adapting it to the leg in the region of the ankle or to the hand in the region of the wrist. At the same time, the sleeve serves for padding the holding ring.

The splint is manipulated as follows:

With the spacing and holding rings opened, the splint is introduced from the side under the injured member of the body, for example the leg. The upper supporting ring is then closed so as to encircle the thigh completely. Then the lower holding ring, in which the lower part of the leg has been placed is closed and the frame is then pulled out. Preferably, this is effected by the attendant bearing with both feet against the lateral supports of the rest 1 and by pulling on the crossbar of the handle 4', drawing the movable frame out of the stationary frame until the lower part of the leg in the region of the ankle is held fast by the lower holding ring and the entire leg is securely splinted under a powerful tension. The splint is secured irreversibly in the adjusted position by means of the ratchet in the sleeves I9 and shortening of the splinted leg is thus prevented. Displacements of the entire splint are likewise impossible since any longitudinal upward movement is also prevented by the supporting ring. Y

In consequence of the pivotal connection of the upper supporting ring with the frame tubes I and 2, the splinted leg may be raised and extended Without trouble and without being displaced in itself. Undesirable turning movements of the leg are prevented by the rest 1.

For the appropriate application of thesplint to the arm, the upper supporting ring is tilted so that its plane substantially coincides with the plane of the frame. Supporting if effected with the arm in the hanging position is then limited to the lower half of the supporting ring which introduces itself under the arm pit. In other respects, operation of the splint is the same as in splinting the leg.

Application of the wound dressing is effected preferably after splinting the limb concerned in order to secure the wound from displacement during the application of the dressing. The width and full freedom of the splint frame also permit `the application of complete dressings, for example plaster dressings, in the splint, so that changing over to another splint at the dressing station may be obviated if desired.

The splint according to the present invention is lthus distinguished by a particularly expedient construction and consequently simple operation and manipulation even under most unfavourable conditions. Satisfactory splintng of injured limbs may be carried out by one person without any other means, and the limbs can thus be brought into a stretched position on the spot where the injury occurred, such position preventing mutualY displacement of the parts andalso however considerably contributing in lessening the pain. Without any fear of detriment to the splinting, the injured person may be carried to the dressing station and also the direct application of emergency dressing or regular dressing is possible. As cases of injury which are chiey to be treated by means of the splint, fractures of the thigh and of the lower leg as well as injuries to the knee, above all shot wounds in the knee joint, come more particularly into consideration.

We claim:

1. In an appliance for splinting and lstretching arms and legs, the combination with a rst frame comprising two parallel arms and a tiltable ring member connecting corresponding ends of said arms, of a second U-shaped frame carrying intermediate its closed end and` its open end a second tiltable ring member, the free arms of said rst frame engaging the free arms of said second frame for longitudinal displacement relative to one another, ratchet teeth on an arm of one of said frames, and a spring actuated withdrawable catch on the corresponding arni of the other frame to engage one of said ratchet teeth in any relative position of the two frames, whereby unintentional displacements of said two frames towards one another are prevented and the appliance is automatically arrested in the position to which it has been extended.

2. An appliance, as claimed in claim 1, in which each of said ring members comprises two separable half-rings, displaceably connected with one another, one half-ring of each ring member being provided with ratchet teeth, the other half-ring carrying a spring-actuated withdrawable catch to engage said teeth and to automatically retain said ring members in the desired compressed position.

HUBERT NIESSEN. MAX ULBRICH. 

